Saturday, December 12, 2009

Banh Pho (Vietnamese Flat Thin Rice Noodles)

While most non-Vietnamese associate the word pho with Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup), banh pho actually refers to the flat, thin rice noodles. There are two types of banh pho noodles, which are sometimes called rice sticks (I have no idea why.).

On the left, in the photos above and below, is banh pho tuoi (Vietnamese fresh rice noodles) and on the right is the dried version. The difference is that the fresh rice noodles only have to be plunged in boiling water for mere seconds before they are soft. The dried noodles obviously need to be boiled for several minutes longer.

Banh pho is made with just rice and water, suitable for the gluten-free trend that seems to be popular lately.

The width of the noodles may vary from very thin to about 1/4-inch, but banh pho will always refer to flat rice noodles. Round rice noodles are called bun, but that's a lesson for another day.

As for brands, I've always been pleased with Three Ladies' products from rice to rice paper to rice noodles. Since fresh rice noodles have a shorter shelf life, I suggest looking for brands from companies that were produced in your area. When all else fails, I sometimes go with the cheapest or whichever one is seems more popular (evidenced by the empty shelves).

10 comments:

Glad I found this! I just went to an international market today and I got some cool stuff but I ignored the noodles because I felt like I didn't know anything about them...but I think I'll pick up some of these next time.

I watched a video on Banh Pho tuoi fresh rice noodles. Not only are these noodles prepared by a banned cancer causing chemical, this company use PLASTIC made to look and feel just like the rice noodles.

Sokchay,I saw the video too, but think it was probably an isolated incident. Some parts of the packaging probably got shredded into the bag or something. I think I can tell if I'm eating plastic. :P Also, the noodles are made in the U.S. I'm pretty sure whatever they're using passed health inspection or else they wouldn't be allowed. Just inspect your food before you eat it and I'm sure you'll be fine.

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